Ball, who turns 28 in June, has already exceeded the expectations of an undrafted player out of Maryland in 2008. Signed by St. Louis, Ball then had to grind through practice squads with St. Louis, Indianapolis, Tennessee and the Broncos before sticking on Denver’s active roster for good in 2009.

He has 801 yards rushing on 4.2 yards per carry in his career.

Ball drew a $540,000 salary last year and the jump to $1.323 million is another indication how the players’ union during the most recent collective bargaining agreement was able to bolster the finances for the young players who are considered in the “lower class” of the league’s economic structure, although the owners were able to significantly compress the open-market ceiling.